Firearm recoil reducer



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A FIRERM RECON.: REDUCER Filed May l0. 1965 l E 3' HG n@ ,f/ faz-- i *Y*7' ifi" L vi" "w f i, i *A c f5 E 5 r f l A n /Z/ 1 (aaa- L /Za "05 ZINVENTOR /7 Jesse B. EDWARDS Y E @Q6-17A NW ATTORNEY United StatesPatent dice 3,290,815 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 3,290,815 FIREARM RECGILREDUCER .lesse B. Edwards, 269 Herbert St., Alton, Ill. Filed May 10,1965, Ser. No. 454,435 5 Claims. (Cl. l2- 74) This invention relates ingeneral to rearms and, more particularly, to a mechanism for reducingrecoil upon tiring thereof.

In the firing of firearms, particularly rifies and shotguns, thedevelopment of recoil has long been accepted as an unpleasant and whollyundesirable condition. Numerous efforts have been undertaken heretoforeto bring about reduction, if not an elimination, in such recoil.However, none of such efforts have substantially solved the problem sothat sports enthusiasts, soldiers, and the like, must, perforce, expectthe shock of recoil upon rifle, shotgun and submachine gun firing, withresultant physical discomfort to the marksman, which may, in addition toentailing painful bruises, bring about a numb* ing of the shoulder area.

Furthermore, recoil also is productive of substanial inaccuracy infiring since the force thereof may contribute to the firearm beinginadvertently raised or caused to jump, in addition to the fact that theindividual ritieman may expectedly be diverted from full control of thefirearm in anxious anticipation of the impact of recoil. Well foundedstudies have demonstrated that there are actually two distinctcomponents of recoil which are developed upon firing; the same acting insequence. The initial recoil component is caused by the gas pressuredeveloped through the explosion of the propellent powder which istranslated from the base of the cartridge case to the face of the gunbreech, thus tending to move the firearm rearwardly. This force isequivalent to the pressure acting on the projectile, includingmulti-missiles, forcing same through the gun barrel. The said initialrecoil is active only during the passage of such projectile through thegun barrel and hence is of limited duration.

The subsequent, or secondary recoil is developed upon emission of theprojectile from the gun muzzle. As the exit velocity of the powder gasesis substantially greater than the muzzle velocity which may beordinarily in the ratio of 2%. and 3 to l, the resultant counter-forceor recoil created by the emission of the powder gases will vary directlytherewith and hence be relatively substantial. It is this secondarycomponent of recoil, being considerably greater than the aforesaidinitial recoil, which has customarily caused the various problems andundesirable effects of recoil,

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recoilreducer adapted for disposition within a firearm, rearwardly of thebreech, for substantially eliminating recoil with its attendantundesirable effects.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recoilreducer of the type stated which is adapted for facile reception withinthe stock of substantially any type of rifle, shotgun lor submachinegun, or the like, without necessitating costly modification thereof orreduction in the effective operation of the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recoilreducer which may constitute an accessory for mounting within existingfirearms, or may be incorporated in same as part of the originalequipment thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a recoilreducing mechanism which incorporates means for permitting selectivecontrol of the amount of energy absorbed so that the same are renderedversatile for utilization with firearms of various caliber andammunition of various types.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide arecoil mechanism which may be most economically produced, beingcomprised of a simplicity of parts; which is extremely durable andreliable in usage; and which may be installed in existing firearms bythe owner thereof without resort to the services of trained individualssuch as gunsmiths, and the like; and which through its simplicity ofconstruction is adapted for longevity of usage so that replacement orrepair would be substantially unnecessary.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing wherein FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal view in partialvertical section of the breech and stock portion of a rifle or shotgunincorporating a recoil reducer constructed in accordance with andembodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, butwith the piston and springs being shown in full lines.

FIGURE 3 is an end View of the recoil reducer illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on theline 2-*2 of FIGURE l, but illustrating another type of end closureconstruction.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the stockportion of a rifle or shotgun incorporating another form of recoilreducer constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention.

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the recoil reducer shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, butwith the piston and springs shown in full lines.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical section View taken substantially onthe line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, but illustrating a spring tension adjustingmember.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawing which illustratespractical embodiments of the present invention, A generally designates afirearm recoil reducing mechanism comprising a cylindrical sleeve ortubular casing 1 fabricated as of aluminum or like durable, yetpreferably light weight metal, within which is disposed for axial,slideable movement therein a cylindrical piston 2 of relatively heavyweight with respect to the weight of sleeve 1 and having an outsidediameter slightly less than the inside diameter of said sleeve 1 forproviding a circumferential air passage therebetween as indicated at a.Piston 2 is provided with a pair of parallel planar end faces 3, 4 whichrespectively bear against the inner ends of compression springs 5, 6,which at their outer ends bear against bearing plates 7, 8,respectively, located inwardly of the respectively adjacent end ofsleeve 1. Said bearing plates 7, 8 are maintained in fixed relationshipto sleeve 1 by means of pins 9, 10 extending diainetrally across sleeve1 outwardly of the respective plates 7, 8 and being maintained fixedlyin such position by any suitable means, such as by threading and thelike.

Sleeve 1 is closed at each of its ends by end plates 11, 12,respectively, which are press-fitted into closure positions with theirinner faces abutting against the adjacent pins 9, 10, and their outerfaces in surfacewise alignment with the adjacent end edges of sleeve 1;spring bearing plates 7, 8 are also dimensioned for tight reception, asby press-fitting, within sleeve 1 so that the same are rigid in positionand being buttressed on their outwardly directed faces by the proximatepins 9, 10; springs 5, 6 are of equal length and strength so that incondition of repose, piston 2 will be biased into centered relationshipwith respect to sleeve 1, as may best be seen in FIGURE 2.

Provided within sleeve 1, proximate to, but inwardly of, bearing plate7, is a pair of apertures 13, 14 constituting air-vents; said apertures13, 14 being preferably diametrally opposed, but it being recognizedthat there is no limitation upon the number of such vents that may beprovided.

If desired, there may be provided a cylindrical sleeve or tubular casing1", as shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 4, which is in all respects similarto sleeve 1, as above described, but wherein the spring bearing platesare shown exemplarily at 7 and the closure plates as shown exemplarilyat 11, are both pressfitted within the end portions of sleeve 1', andwherein the spring bearing plates and closure plates are in surfaceabutting relationship. This particular form of the invention obviatesutilization of Cross pins, such as indicated at 9, 10 in FIGURE 2.

It will be observed that the said spring bearing plates 7, 8 and endclosure plates 11, 12 are of such close tolerance with respect to theinside diameter of sleeve 1 that the same are substantially proofagainst undesired air loss through leakage, so that air flow will occuronly through apertures 13, 14.

In usage recoil reducing mechanism A is received within acomplementarily formed compartment c drilled or otherwise providedwithin the normally wooden stock 15 of a firearm, such as a rie,shotgun, or the like, as indicated generally at R; said compartment cbeing axially parallel to the barrel 16 of firearm R; the inner portionof said compartment c may open within the bore 17 normally formed withinthe stock 15 of firearm R, for receiving at its inner end the head ofthe customary toggle or stock bolt 18 for engaging the stock 15 to thebreech block 19 for integrating the stock 15 with the operative parts offirearm R, including trigger guard 20, cartridge chamber 21, and gasejector 22, as well as the barrel or barrels 16. The outer end ofcompartment c, just as bore 17, is closed by ibutt plate 23, which issecured to stock 15 as by screws 24, 24'. It is preferable' that recoilreducing mechanism A fit snugly within compartment c whereby anysuperfluous volume may be filled by suitable packing material to preventundesired shifting.

With recoil reducing mechanism thus installed fully within the stock offirearm R, wherein the end lof said sleeve carrying said apertures 13,14 is presented proximate to breech block 19, the user or rifleman isthen free to fire firearm R with a sense of assurance that thetheretofore experienced powerful recoil has been substantiallyeliminated. It appears that upon firing of firearm 'R, the aforesaidinitial and subsequent or secondary recoils are translated throughbreech block 19 and stock 1S acting upon, and being received by, piston2, which is driven rearwardly against spring 6 to place same understress; it being recognized that said piston 2, by reason of thedisposition of mechanism A will travel in a direction axially parallelto the direction of recoil so that the energy thereof is substantiallyabsorbed by spring 6. Piston 2 will be returned forwardly throughunloading of spring 6, and the air pressure and thereby cause acompression of forward spring 5. Air being driven forwardly by piston 2will be vented through openings 13, 14 and piston 2 will be forcedrearwardly upon unloading of spring so that reciprocal movement ofpiston 2 axially of its cylinder will continue until springs 6 and 5have dissipated the energy of recoil. The importance of the provision ofair passage a now becomes all the more evident since without such therecould be a freezing of piston 2 within sleeve 1 resulting in a totalfailure of operation. Apertures 13, 14 permit air to be readily expelledfrom and admitted into sleeve 1, as may be effected during energyabsorbing action of springs 5, 6.

The use of the present invention will prevent the incidence of painfulbruises and even numbing by the user, which injurious conditions havebeen heretofore accepted, albeit reluctantly, by rifleman, marksman, andthe like. Furthermore, the present invention will substantially ohviatefirearm jumping so that users may enjoy the same accuracy upon a secondfiring as in the preceding firing, wherein rapid fire is undertaken.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, a further modification of recoil mecanism Ais disclosed wherein 101 designates the cylindrical sleeve or tubularcasing with compression springs as in mechanism A, but being indicatedas 106, with the outer ends of said springs bearing against a bearingplate 108 which is dimensioned for slideable movement within sleeve 101.Received within said sleeve 101, spacedly from plate 108 and in theadjacent outer end portion of said sleeve 101 is a terminal block orclosure 112, rigidly secured within said sleeve 101 as by diametrallyaligned pins 120. Said terminal block 112 is axially drilled and tappedto provide an internally threaded bore 121 for receiving an adjustmentscrew 122, the inner end of which bears against the outwardly directedface of bearing plate 108, with its head being presented outwardly ofsaid terminal block 112 for convenient disposition for manipulation byany suitable tool, such as a screw driver, for effecting movement ofbearing plate 103 within sleeve 101 for placing the related spring 106under desired tension. By means of adjustment screw 122, and theassociated structure, the tension of the springs normally acting uponpiston 2 may be regulated as desired. It will be seen that byutilization of screw 122, an eccentric disposition of piston 2 withrespect to sleeve 1 may be effected in view of causing a stressing ofthe springs. By said screw 122 a versatility is accorded the presentinvention so that appropriate adjustment may be effected for any unusual`conditions that might be encountered during usage brought about as, forinstance, by the particular character of ammunition utilized, thecaliber of the firearm, etc.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6, and 7, another form of recoil reducerembodied in the present invention is illustrated and is indicatedgenerally at B and comprises a pair of recoil reducing mechanisms A1 andA2; the former consisting of `cylindrical sleeve or casing 1' and havinga piston 2' with end faces 3', 4', against which, respectively, bearcompression springs 5', 6', the outer ends of which bear against bearingplate 7', 8', respectively, there being diametrally extending pins 9',10' abutting against the outer faces of bearing plates 7 8' and with endclosure plates 11', 12' respectively abutting against the outer surfacesof said pins 9', 10'; there also being an air passage a' surroundingsaid piston 2'; all of said elements being substantially identical tothe corresponding elements of mechanism A hereinabove described.

Recoil reducing mechanism A2 is of identical construction with recoilmechanism A and A1, =but differs therefrom in that the same is ofslightly reduced length so that the forward, or breech-directed end, asat 30, is spacedly rearwardly of the breech-directed end of thecompanion mechanism A1. Said recoil mechanisms A1, A2 are inside-by-side, axially parallel relationship with their rearward or buttplate-adjacent ends in surface alignment and with the contiguousportions of their side walls being mutally secured as by anyyconventional techniques. It will further be noted that if desired,retaining pin 10' may be of such length as to extend through alignedopenings in both A1, A2 for further enhancing the unitary character ofmechanism B.

Recoil reducing mechanism B provides an enhanced energy absorbing devicefor utilization with firearms wherein the recoil is of relatively greatcharacter. However, said mechanism B is particularly suitable for usewith double barrel Shotguns, as, in addition to effecting adequateenergy absorption, the same also allows for a differential in actiontiming to compensate for any differential that might develop in firingtime.

It will be seen with reference now to FIGURE 5, that upon installationwithin stock 15 of a firearm R mechanism A2 will be presented downwardlyor in lowered relationship to mechanism A1, and since the piston in eachare normally centered, the piston in the lower mechanism A2 will benormally partially rearwardly of the piston 2 in upper mechanism A1.Said combined mechanism B may be suitably received within an enlargedcompartment c suitably formed within the stock 15 of a firearm R, andwhich compartment c will open substantially into the bore 17 of therelated stock 15.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that recoil mechanismsconstructed in accordance with the present invention may be readilyinstalled in any existing type of firearm without requiring the skilledservices of expert gunsmiths, but may be readily so installed by theaverage firearm user without costly modification of the particularfirearm. Furthermore, as is evident from the -foregoing, the recoilmechanisms hereinabove described will permit comfortable, consistentlyaccurate and reliable usage of substantially powerful firearms,obviating the various attendant unpleasant'efects' of recoil whichcurrently'hav'e been considered as unavoidable conditions of firearmusage.

It will be appreciated that the springs utilized in the recoil reducersofthe present invention may vary in length and specifications inaccordance with the forces to be accommodated. It is quite conceivablethat under certain circumstances a differential in length or strength ofsprings might =be indicated. Additionally, it is, of course, apparentthat the reducers of this invention are in air communication with thebores of the related stock, so that ready venting and replacement areeasily eliected. Although it has been shown herein preferable to locatethe recoil reducers within the gun stocks, it is Within the scope ofthis invention to comprehend the disposition of the same in otherlocations upon the firearm for absorbing the energies of recoil.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation,construction, arrangement, and combination of the serval parts of therecoil reducer may be made and substituted for these herein shown anddescribed without departing from the nature and principle of myinvention.

Having thus described my inventori, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In combination with a firearm having a stock with a compartmentformed therein, a recoil reducing mechanism disposed in saidcompartment, and comprising means forming a cylindrical sleeve, saidsleeve being provided proximate one of its ends with a plurality ofspaced apart air fiow passages, a piston slideably received within saidsleeve for movement axially thereof; first and second springs providedwithin said sleeve at opposite ends of said piston, the inner ends ofsaid springs bearing against the proximate face of said piston, firstand second spring bearing plates mounted in said sleeve for respectiveabutment thereagainst of the outer ends of said springs, means forclosing the ends of said sleeve in an air-proof manner, said springbearing plates and the adjacent end closure means being spaced apart,and means disposed between each bearing plate and the adjacent endclosure means for maintaining same in said spaced apart relationship, aswell as buttressing the related spring bearing plate against thepressure of the related spring.

2. In combination with a firearm having a stock with a compartmentformed therein, a recoil reducing mechanism disposed in saidcompartment, and being as defined in claim 1, but further characterizedby said means disposed between each bearing plate and the adjacent endclosure means for maintaining said bearing plates and end closure meansin spaced apart relationship comprising pins extending diametrallyagainst said sleeve and being fixed at its ends therein.

3. In combination with a firearm having a stock with a compartmentformed therein, a recoil reducing mechanism disposed'in saidcompartment, and comprising means forming a cylindrical sleeve, saidsleeve being provided proximate one of its ends with a plurality ofspaced apart air flow passages, a piston slideably received Within saidsleeve for movement axially thereof; first and second springs providedwithin said sleeve at opposite ends of said piston, the inner ends ofsaid springs bearing against the proximate face of said piston, firstand second spring bearing plates mounted in said sleeve for respectiveabutment thereagainst of the outer ends of said springs, means for'closing the ends of said sleeve in an air-proof manner, and means foradjustably positioning at least one of said first or second springbearing plates with respect to the adjacent end closure means.

4. In combination with a firearm having a stock with a compartmentformed therein, a recoil reducing mechanism disposed in saidcompartment, and comprising means forming a cylindrical sleeve, a pistonslideably received within said sleeve for movement axially thereof,first and second springs provided within said sleeve at opposite ends ofsaid piston, the inner ends of said springs bearing against theproximate face of said piston, first and second spring bearing platesmounted in said sleeve for respective abutment thereagainst of the outerends of said springs, at least one of said bearing plates being adaptedfor slideable movement axially of said sleeve, means for maintainingsuch bearing plate in selected position within said sleeve, and meansfor closing the ends of said sleeve in the air-proof manner.

5. In combination with a firearm having a stock with a compartmentformed therein, a recoil reducing mechanism disposed in saidcompartment, and comprising means forming a cylindrical sleeve, a pistonslideably received within said sleeve for movement axially thereof;first and second springs provided within said sleeve at opposite ends ofsaid piston, lthe inner ends of said springs bearing against theproximate face of said piston, first and second spring bearing platesmounted in said sleeve for respective abutment thereagainst of the outerends of said springs, at least one of said bearing plates beingslideably disposed within said sleeve for movement toward and away fromthe adjacent end closure, means for effecting stressing of said firstand second springs, an adjusting member mounted in the adjacent endclosure means and adapted for engaging the outer face of said slideablespring bearing plate, and means for closing the ends of said sleeve inan air-proof manner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,147,941 7/1915Haslett 42-74 1,307,529 6/1919 Werndl 42-74 1,379,989 5/1921 Johnson42-74 2,155,130 4/1939 Hanel 89-44 2,240,681 5/ 1941 Swartz 42-12,875,731 3/1959 Settles et al. 89--198 3,039,222 6/1962 Hoge 42-74BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A FIREARM HAVING A STOCK WITH A COMPARTMENTFORMED THEREIN, A RECOIL REDUCING MECHANISM DISPOSED IN SAIDCOMPARTMENT, SAND COMPRISING MEANS FORMING A CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE, SAIDSLEEVE BEING PROVIDED PROXIMATE ONE OF ITS ENDS WITH A PLURALITY OFSPACED APART AIR FLOW PASSAGES, A PISTON SLIDEABLY RECEIVED WITHINSPRINGS PROVIDED WITHIN SAID SLEEVE AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID PISTON, THEINNER ENDS OF SAID SPRINGS BEARING AGAINST THE PROXIMATE FACE OF SAIDPISTON, FIRST AND SECOND SPRING BEARING PLATES MOUNTED IN SAID SLEEVEFOR RESPECTIVE ABUTMENT THEREAGAINST OF THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID SPRINGS,MEANS FOR CLOSING THE ENDS OF SAID SLEEVE IN AN AIR-PROOF MANNER, SAIDSPRING BEARING PLATES AND THE ADJACENT END CLOSURE MEANS BEING SPACEDAPART, AND MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN EACH BEARING PLATE AND THE ADJACENTEND CLOSURE MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAME IN SAID SPACED APARTRELATIONSHIP, AS WELL AS BUTTRESSING THE RELATED SPRING BEARING PLATEAGAINST THE PRESSURE OF THE RELATED SPRING.